British Greens declare Zionism a form of racism, drawing condemnation
Quick Look
Britain's Greens have passed a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, drawing condemnation from British Jewish associations and the Israeli government, as the party enjoys a rise in local power despite internal divisions.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The British Greens won local seats at the expense of Labor by putting forward a pro-Palestinian policy, under the leadership of Zack Polanski who has strengthened the left wing of the party over the past year.
Britain's Greens on Sunday approved a motion saying Zionism is a form of racism, drawing condemnation from British Jewish groups and the Israeli government.
This party, which has 5 deputies out of a total of 650, made a breakthrough after the arrival at its head a year ago of Zack Polanski, who accentuated the left-wing positioning of the party.
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A text that divides the party
The Greens won many seats in local elections in the spring, to the detriment of Labor, in particular by putting forward a pro-Palestinian policy and very critical of Israel.
The motion, adopted during its political congress, “officially” makes the Greens “an anti-Zionist party” and affirms that “anti-Zionism must not be equated with anti-Semitism,” according to a press release. She says Zionism must be “considered like any other form of racism.”
It “calls for the creation of a single democratic Palestinian state throughout historic Palestine, guaranteeing equal rights for all,” according to the text of the motion.
The text, which was approved by 1,022 activists (813 voted against), divided the party. Adrian Ramsay, Green MP, said he was “deeply saddened” on X by the adoption of the motion. “It reflects neither the principles of the Greens nor my personal opinion,” he added. Zack Polanski, campaigning to win an MP seat in London, did not take part in the vote, according to the PA agency.
A motion condemned by Israel
The adoption of the motion was strongly condemned by Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the motion a “shame” and a “disgrace.” “Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, and constitutes the foundation of the right of the Jewish people to a state and a national home in the Land of Israel,” he wrote on X.
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The Greens have “become an organization that gives legitimacy to terrorism,” declared the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Even before the motion was voted on, three British Jewish community organizations had sent a letter to the party: this text would make the Greens “the first British political party of significant electoral importance, in recent memory, to adopt what appears to be an openly anti-Semitic political platform,” they wrote.
Zack Polanski told the BBC this week that the “displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people” was “clearly racism.” His popularity has declined in recent months, according to polls, after several missteps.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Britain's Greens will face increased pressure to clarify their position on anti-Semitism in the upcoming national election.
Likely · Within months
Israel will continue to publicly condemn any equation between Zionism and racism in international forums.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How will this motion affect relations between the UK Greens and Labor in the future?
- Is the party at risk of losing support among moderate or Jewish British voters?
- What will be the long-term diplomatic consequences with Israel following this declaration?
